New legislation will protect the children of tomorrow

The sad life and death of 7-year-old Ricky Holland in 2005 at the hands of his adoptive parents sparked calls for reforms of laws and regulations dealing with the welfare of Michigan children.

Years after his death, changes are still coming.

A bill signed into law a few days ago affects the state’s Children’s Ombudsman, an official appointed by the governor to determine if statutes and regulations affecting children’s welfare are being followed.

It was clear from investigations following the child’s death that rules had not been followed.

Ricky, born in 1997 to an often-homeless teenage mother and an older man later convicted on drug charges, was taken into the home of foster parents Lisa and Tim Holland in Jackson in 2000. The couple eventually adopted the child and his half-siblings. There were occasional complaints from neighbors and school officials, first in Jackson, later in Williamston, but none conflicted with reports of state workers who visited the Holland home sufficiently to remove Ricky or the other children.

The child disappeared in 2005. His adoptive father led police to the boy’s body several months later.

Testimony at the Hollands’ trial revealed that the boy had been abused for years in their home. Lisa Holland is serving a life sentence without parole. Tim Holland is serving a sentence of 30-60 years.

Ombudsman Verlie Ruffin after the couple’s sentencing detailed errors made by workers who had missed the abuse.

One provision in the new law, sponsored by Rep. Kenneth Kurtz, R-Coldwater, extends the authority of the ombudsman to investigate errors which may have contributed to the death of a child by abuse or neglect. Ruffin said her office has conducted such investigations after a child’s death, but without specific authority.

A more important provision authorizes the ombudsman’s office to share its findings with law enforcement officers and investigators, overturning a prohibition on such sharing.

The legislation may not have protected Ricky had it been effect a decade ago.

It might have helped to ensure that his siblings, then also in Lisa Holland’s care, were out of that home.